A Timeline History of Fender Strats '54-Today: What's The Difference?

The Fender Stratocaster has been in production for over 70 years, and yielded hundreds of models and variations. In this video, we take a look at many of the most important variations through the years.

[gordonray]

Wow, that was mind-boggling. I love Stratocasters. I didn't know their history is so complicated. Reverb, thank you for the history lesson.

[josephetherton]

Any chance of a Telecaster vid like this? Us Tele lovers would love it.

[fuzzyeah]

Missed the Hot Rod Series! Becoming more and more sought after the last 4-5 years. 2007-2013 Vintage specs sonically, but some modern features that increase playability.

[bz]

1977, first year of the 5 way pickup selector. 70s strats are a part of history and have their place whether snobs like it or not.

[Mooseboy]

As I sit here watching this, a slight turn of my head brings my 1965 "L" series Stratocaster into view. I've owned her since 1969.

[wiggledixbubsy]

Super interesting video! This would be great to see for the offset models

[caiusmadison]

Missed both of the Lone Star series. Both are awesome.

[JohnGadzaJr.]

Oh man. I love Fender Stratocaster electric guitars. They are definitely number one for everything music.

[JonNewquist]

Okay, I learned about a model I didn't know about, but have wished exists. Thanks Joe & Reverb. My watch list is full again.

[tobiascree]

Attention; this video is way better than most.

[geirthieussbimkravahl]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the Fender Blacktop Strats. There was the Blacktop HH and the Blacktop HSH. The Blacktop HSH was basically a super Strat with the chrome pickup covers and an all-black body and black pick guard, with the incredibly gorgeous white edge highlight around the pick guard. I consider the black colour Blacktop HSH Strat the coolest looking Strat ever made, even much cooler looking than David Gilmour's "Black Strat".

[TheSavagederek]

My 99 US Standard is the best guitar I've ever owned . I bought it new in early 2000 . The neck is stamped Sept 99 and the body Oct 99 . It features the Delta tone pot which is fab, and the 2 point trem with solid steel blocks . It weighs just under 7 and a half pounds and sounds incredible . It also features the hand rolled fingerboard edges, which we now take for granted in better instruments . The satin neck and contours, just make the whole playing experience, brilliant . I'd highly recommend anyone looking to get into the US Fender market, to get a mid to late 90s to early 2000s Standard model as it really was a special time for US Fender made guitars .

[BigBoss]

Besides the addition of the 5 way switch in the late 70s, the guitar was basically perfectly designed all the way back in 54…sure the movement of the truss rod adjustment to the headstock makes it easier to adjust on the fly, but overall Leo and his team hit it out of the park right from the start basically

[caiusmadison]

One major forget in the video on the American 90's models. The Lone Star Stratocaster, was American first. From 95' to 99', best alternate version American Standard. Had a Pearly Gates Plus in the bridge, 2 Texas specials(the originals). There was an a singles Texas Specials version as well. Otherwise, these had only deluxe pick guard materials, such as tortoise shell and a lot of pearloid variants. Anyways, this model was definitely what you where aiming for in Stratville, circa mid 90's. The pickups alone, where a major bonus. TBX control still on board, better colors. Same features as American Standard at the time.

[debieaves]

I wish there had been some mention of my MIM Stratocaster Noventa w/ 2 P-90 pickups. The whole guitar resonates when I play this thing!! It’s ALIVE! 🎸❤️

[masatanida]

Very cool video. I think the American Select series was a short-lived but notable one that wasn't mentioned here. I interpreted it as Fender's response to boutique builders like Tom Anderson and Suhr.

[davidcarlin]

You completely missed the MIJ early 80s Squire Strat series that were as good if not better than were better than American strats at the time and modeled after 1970s era Large headstock models

[chrisburch]

Fender needs to make more hard tail variations in the US and Mexican lines.

[patim]

I bought mine (made in USA ) new in 1989, these were in the same brochure as de version with lace pickups. It has a different tone circuit. The most down tone pot has a mid position. You can make the sound much brighter as with normal pots or lower like the normal tone circuits. I forgot the name, I still have the brochure somewhere.

[michaelsnydermusic]

I’d like to see a Music Man sig series.